Outstanding Kansas Citian Award
The Outstanding Native Kansas Citian Award was proposed and passed by the Native Sons in 1972. The first award was given in 1973.
Julia Kauffman Honored as 2011 Outstanding Kansas Citian
On October 25th, the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City honored Julia Irene Kauffman as Outstanding Kansas Citian for 2011 in the building her support made possible, the Kauffman Performing Arts Center.
We have video of the event, along with photos and an interview televised on Fox 4 with the chair of the event, Dr. Chuck Eddy.
Tom McDonnell Honored as 2010 Outstanding Kansas Citian
The 2010 Outstanding Kansas Citian event, honoring Tom McDonnell, was held at the Muehlebach Tower in Kansas City, Missouri. Renowned hammered dulcimer performer, Ms. Esther Kreek, entertained guests during the reception and during the program. The Honorable Tom Sims opened the program with the Pledge of Allegiance, and offering of the benediction.
A brief program was conducted by
President Gary L. Hicks, introducing
past recipients present, the
head table, and the 2010 officers. The
event is also considered an annual business meeting of the Corporation, and the official order of business was the
election of officers for the ensuing term. This was conducted by Nominating Committee Chair, Dan Sturdevant.
Dot Benner facilitated the Outstanding Kansas Citian Award Program, which included a video production created by
DST Systems on the character and contributions of Mr. McDonnell in leading renewal efforts in downtown
Kansas City, Missouri. A tribute to Mr. McDonnell was offered by Whitney Kerr, who reflected on Tom’s contributions
to the preservation of the historic integrity of the Kansas City.
The award program concluded with presentation of a plaque to Mr. McDonnell followed by his remarks.
Scenes from the 2009 Outstanding Kansas Citian banquet
The Board of Directors of Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City is very pleased to announce its 2009 Outstanding Kansas Citian Award Recipient to be John A. Dillingham.
The dinner honoring Mr. Dillingham will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at The Golden Ox, 1600 Genesee, in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Dillingham, a member and past president of the Native Sons and Daughters, will be honored for his many outstanding civic achievements as well as his contributions to documenting the history of greater Kansas City.
He is president and director of JoDill, Inc. and Dillingham Enterprises. John’s public and civic affairs comprise an extensive list of chairmanships, directorships and appointments.
John is the 45th recipient of this award, first given in 1973. John’s father, the late Jay B. Dillingham, received the Outstanding Kansas Citian award in 1984.
It is significant that the dinner-event will be held at the Golden Ox Restaurant, which was established by Jay B. Dillingham in 1959. The restaurant is located in the Livestock Exchange Building where John’s father had his offices for many years and where John also has his offices on the top floor of the building.
Map to the Golden Ox:
Terry and Peggy Dunn selected “Outstanding Kansas Citians” for 2008
by the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City
The Board of Directors for the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City is most pleased to announce Terry and Peggy Dunn have received its annual award as “Outstanding Kansas Citians” for 2008. A reception was held in their honor on Thursday evening, September 25, 2008 in the National WWI Museum at the Liberty Memorial, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The Dunns are highly visible leaders in our Greater Kansas City area, through their professional careers, their numerous civic involvements, and their generous philanthropic support providing for the well being our community.
Our community long recognizes the breadth and depth of their contributions to its development and preservation. Their continued professional and civic leadership, extensive community involvement, sharing of resources, vision, demonstrates their abiding regard for the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of our historic record as the foundation upon which to build and nurture future generations.
Terry Dunn serves as the CEO of the J.E. Dunn Construction Company, while Peggy Dunn is serves as elected mayor of the City of Leawood, Kansas. Their tireless efforts are employed to maintain our heritage as being one of the Nation’s most prestigious communities in which to reside. The Dunns are considered among the Kansas City area’s most valued assets of which the Native Sons and Daughters recognize with its Outstanding Kansas Citian award.
Liberty Memorial was selected as the site of the event considering the Natives Sons and Daughters extensive commitment to its recent renovation; with several of its members serving in Board capacity with the Liberty Memorial Association; and that, in Spring 2001, J.E. Dunn Construction was awarded the contract to completely restore and refurbish Liberty Memorial, allowing for inclusion of a new world-class museum in newly dedicated space within the memorial.
Terry and Peggy Dunn served as the chairs for UMKC's recent capital campaign, which raised over $300 million for the university. Among the many community groups in which they are involved include the Boy Scouts, the Children's Miracle Network, the Truman Medical Center, the Jewish Community Relations Bureau, and many others.
The reception was attended by 65 members and guests, including the Dunn’s son Patrick and daughter Katie Fitzpatrick, Terry’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William and Jean Dunn, Mike Dunn, and friend Melinda. Brother Robert Dunn was unable to attend due to another commitment. Also in attendance were the Hon. Don Reimal, mayor of the City of Independence, Missouri, and wife Jo Marie Reimal, as guests of Dr. Lee and Kathryn Pickering.
As each entered the memorial, they were welcomed with the classical music of a string trio. A premiere hors d'oeuvres buffet, by Kansas City Catering, Inc., preceded the award ceremony.
The “President’s Welcome” was presented by the Hon. Thomas Sims, recognizing the Dunn family and former OKC Award recipients being present, including Mr. William Dunn, Mr. Mike Burke, and Whitney and Day Kerr. New members for the year 2008 were duly recognized.
The business of the election of officers for the year 2009 was conducted by immediate past-president Ms. Eileen Sullivan, chair of the nominating committee. Ms. Sullivan presented for vote the slate of candidates for the position of officers and directors.
Following acknowledgements by event chair Mr. Gary L. Hicks, vocal music was delightfully provided by our own Mr. Dan Sturdevant (president elect for 2009) taking us back the musical period of the 1930’s. Of special note, Dan was accompanied by the strains of his own “hand-held orchestra” contained on his PDA. Following the presentation of the OKC award, Dan once again entertained us all with a musical tribute to the Dunn’s in the melody of “Everything’s-Up-to-Date-in Kansas City” and special lyrics composed by Mr. Hicks.
A special acknowledgment is offered to Ms. Louise Hicks for her invaluable assistance during the entire event process, especially for producing the slide show presentation as part of the program. Additionally, the organization recognizes Mr. Michael Morgan of KCDV.TV who volunteered to provide a video recording of the event. Michael has an abiding interest in providing to the community a historical record of events and activities associated with aspects of historical preservation.
Mr. Hicks introduced Mr. John Dillingham who offered a tribute to Terry and Peggy Dunn. Mr. Dillingham has served with both Terry and Peggy in many capacities in many community involvements. While recently serving as president of the Liberty Memorial Association, Mr. Dillingham especially valued the contributions by the J.E. Dunn Company towards the restoration effort, much beyond contractual obligations. He was delighted for the opportunity to share his insight and perspective and recognized in detail their contributions to our community. Mr. Dillingham’s tribute drew a standing ovation for the Dunns who came forward to receive the Outstanding Kansas Citian Award.
Commendation was made to the Dunns by Mr. Hicks who presented the award. Both Peggy and Terry offered remarks in gratitude of receiving the award, thanking the organization for bestowing such recognition, and acknowledging they were now on a list of “Who’s-Who” in Kansas City.
Gary L. Hicks
Chair, Outstanding Kansas Citian Committee
From the left, Eileen Sullivan, immediate past president; Jonathan Kemper, Dan Sturdevant, 2009 President-elect
Our 2007 Honoree, Jonathan Kemper
Jonathan Kemper was honored as “Outstanding Kansas Citian 2007” at a dinner and program held at the Central Library at 10th and Baltimore in downtown Kansas City on Friday, September 28. Dan Sturdevant, program chair for the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City, said that Mr. Kemper was honored for his outstanding civic achievements and his respect for historic preservation. The dinner was attended by about 130 persons. The downtown Central Library served a superb dinner. The Library staff also led a tour of the 
Library, with a special look at the Missouri Valley Room, showcasing the Kansas City area historical research capabilities.
About our 2006 honoree, Jeanette Nichols
On October 5, 2006, the Native Sons of Greater Kansas City honored one of Kansas City's great philanthropists and community volunteers. Jeannette Nichols was named Outstanding Kansas Citian for 2006 at a reception held in her honor at the Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 20th Street.
Jeannette Nichols' accomplishments are many, especially in the arts. She serves as honorary co-chair of the University of Missouri - Kansas City's $200 million capital campaign and is spearheading the expansion of the Miller Nichols library on the UMKC campus. She and her late husband, Miller, received the Philanthropic Award from the Jackson County Historical Society in 2001.
Two years later, Ms. Nichols received the William F. Yates Medallion of Distinguished Service from William Jewell College. She serves on the Campaign Steering Committees of both the Kansas City Public Library and the Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center. She has served at the national level on the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Accomplishment is part of the Nichols' family tradition. J.C. Nichols, Ms. Nichols' father-in-law, created the Country Club Plaza in 1922. Her late husband, Miller Nichols, took over his father's business and took the Kansas City landmark to new heights by adding hotels, apartments and artwork to the Plaza landscape.
The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City are pleased to name Jeannette Nichols Outstanding Kansas Citian for 2006.